For a film about a naked lesbian axe murderer, this is a comparatively dull and frigid affair. In 1892, the Borden family is an affluent but grim-to-do family living in an austere, dimly lit home in Massachusetts. Father (Sheridan) is rich but tight-fisted and is constantly clashing with his strong-willed daughter Lizzie (Sevigny.) Their only point of agreement is a carnal interest in their humble Irish maid Bridget (Stewart.)

If the real-life notoriety of the title character didn't already, the opening scene tells us that we are heading towards violent crime. The film is an enclosed little affair, rarely venturing far from the house. There doesn't seem to be a lot to it, but it leaves you with more than you'd expect and the acting is effective all round. The film wants to show the constraints that male dominated society placed on women but it doesn't disquise that Lizzie was a bit of a psycho.